The present day Raider program is a merger of the great competitive traiditon of the Dayton Dolphins, founded in 1958 by Coach Mac Preston at Wright-Patterson AFB, and the young enthusiastic spirit of the Wright State Raiders, founded in 1978 at Wright State University. This merger took place in 1981 with the new team carrying the name Dayton Raiders as a symbol of the best of both programs and a new drive towards national prominence and recognition.

From its inception, the Dayton Raiders program has established itself as a premier USA Swimming club in the greater Miami Valley.

The Dayton Raider Club is dedicated to providing the area youth with a year-round opportunity to train and to participate in the sport of swimming. This nonprofit organization is designed to allow its swimmers to achieve full potential by providing them with high-quality coaching in a structured setting. Our coaches further advance their abilities by attending conferences and obtaining certifications provided by the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA). 

Our progressive group advancement program allows for swimmers to continually improve their level of performance from age group to senior level to avoid "swimmers' plateau". Our coaches implement a program that teaches balance, core development, propulsion, technique, starts, and turns. Age group swimmers (14 and unders) are provided with critical instruction in these areas that is their foundation for success at the senior levels (15 and overs). We strongly feel that swimming is a long-term sport where development at the age group level strongly influences performance at the senior level. When a young person becomes a member of the Dayton Raider Swim Club, they learn the value of sportmanship and team work. Swimming with us provides physical, emotional, and intellectual skills that will last a lifetime.